Legislators split on G-Rod's budget strategy

June 28, 2004

The governor calls them into special session. Their leaders send them home. The governor announces another special session to bring them back.

And then they do it all over again.

Underworked but frustrated members of the General Assembly were divided about Gov. Blagojevich's strategy of forcing them to show up at the Statehouse every day. He vows to keep them in Springfield until reaching a budget deal for the fiscal year that begins Thursday.

But most lawmakers say there is nothing they can do until the governor and four legislative leaders reach an agreement in their budget negotiations. So they show up for sessions that last just a few minutes but can cost nearly $17,000 in expense payments.

"Nothing's changed since Thursday, Friday and now Saturday, and there is no action that the House can take to help break the impasse," said Rep. Terry Parke (R-Hoffman Estates). "It's another day of taxpayer money when we in the House can effectively do no work."

Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) supports the governor's tactic, saying it would be irresponsible for lawmakers not to be at the Statehouse. But he has not come up with anything for senators to do and adjourns each day's special session after just a few minutes.